Well, NBA fans, the basketball Olympics are over, which means only seven weeks until training camp and 10 weeks until the regular season. The previous article that I wrote ranked the Eastern Conference hierarchy from the top contenders to the teams fighting for the best draft lottery odds. The West, however, was a challenge. There are the top four title contenders and then 7-8 teams who can make a strong case for a deep playoff run. Last year, 11 of the 15 teams finished with a .500 record. Two of the four teams that didn’t have a winning record made some improvements and could join the playoff mix. The San Antonio Spurs will rely more on veteran leadership and the emergence of Victor Wembyama to see them jump in the standings. The Memphis Grizzlies will rely on better health to return to where they were just 15 months ago when they were the #2 seed. It was also a rough offseason for the teams in California, especially in Los Angeles. However, will a rough offseason drop them down the conference dramatically? Let’s look at the rankings.
Post-Olympics Western Conference Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 57-25
OFF: 117.0(3rd) DEF:109.5 (4th) PACE:101.6(7th*) NET: +7.4(2nd)
Recap: The youngest #1 seed in NBA history last season had arguably the best offseason. There were no big signings, but smart ones that will provide significant value to a team now in title contention. Alex Caruso is an excellent backup point guard who brings championship experience and defense to a team that was #4 in defense. Isaiah Harnastein was meant to be the backup big for the Knicks and proved to be a valuable piece in the Knicks’ run last year. Harnenstein will provide size and rebounding to a Thunder that lacked size and ranked 27th in rebounding. With their young core getting a year younger this team is the frontrunner to win the West.
2. Dallas Mavericks 50-32
OFF:115.2(7th) DEF:112.4(14th*) PACE:101.8(6th) NET: +2.6(14th)
Recap: There is plenty to like about this Mavericks team. Despite the NBA finals loss, the team will have a full offseason with their supporting cast. This team hit their stride in the later part of the season after the trade deadline. The team will return with top 5 player Luka Doncic and closer Kyrie Irving. Their biggest acquisition will be Klay Thompson, a 4-time champion from the Golden State Warriors. Klay might not be the player he was before his injuries, but he can shoot the three at a high level and give a team 15-20 points a night.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves 56-26
OFF:113.1(16th) DEF:105.9(1st) PACE:98.9(21st*) NET: +6.5(3rd)
Recap: The Wolves are looking to have more seasons like they did last year, which resulted in their second conference finals in their 35 years of existence. Minnesota was dominant on defense all season, but their offense struggled, especially in the postseason. The team ranked #16 in offensive efficiency and 20th in turnovers. Acquiring Rob Dillingham‘s draft rights was a smart move because Minnesota will need to start thinking about their starting point guard role with Mike Conley going to be 37 next season. As long as Anthony Edwards is on the squad, Minnesota should be in the mix to win the Western Conference next season.
4. Denver Nuggets 56-26
OFF:115.6(6th) DEF:110.6(8th) PACE:98.5(25th) NET: +5.3 (4th)
Recap: In my opinion, the Nuggets were one of the biggest losers this offseason. They lost Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell Pope in free agency, who were contributors to their 2023 NBA title team. Their biggest acquisition was, wait for it Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is still a talented player, but nowhere near the same player he was as a former MVP. The Nuggets are ranked this high because they still have the 3x reigning MVP in Nikola Jokic and one of the best starting lineups. Their bench, however, that’s a different story. Can the young talent step up into greater roles? Their bench last year was 25th in total points.
5. Phoenix Suns 49-33
OFF:114.9(9th) DEF: 111.5(12th) PACE:100.2(15th) NET: +3.0 (10th)
Recap: This team proved last season that they were one of the most talented teams on paper with their Big 3. And yet, this team was extremely flawed. The Suns can return to being a title contender if Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal stay healthy. Phoenix, last season struggled with chemistry, health, size, and depth. The team’s bench ranked dead last in points. The Suns did go out and address a need by bringing in Tyus Jones, who will provide Phoenix with stable point guard play and obtained backup big in Mason Plumlee, who will provide some size on the front line. Also, the Suns will bring on new head coach Mike Budenholzer, who will bring championship experience to a team that is in win-now mode, but the window for title contention might be shorter than expected.
6. Memphis Grizzlies 27-55
OFF:104.2(30th) DEF:111.6(13th) PACE:100.1(16th)
Recap: There is no question this team will bounce back. This team had the worst injury luck in the NBA by far last season. This resulted in 33 different players suiting up for the Grizzlies and 50 different lineups. Ja Morant will be back and hoping to bounce back after a 25-game suspension and a season-ending shoulder surgery. It will be interesting to see how Zach Edey fits in, as he will probably be the starting center for the Grizzlies. With both players alone, Memphis should see a night and day difference offensively, where the team ranked in the bottom 5 for nearly every offensive metric. Could we see an MVP season from Ja Morant? A #2 seed is unlikely, but they should be able to avoid the play-in.
7. Sacramento Kings 46-36
OFF:113.8(13th*) DEF:113.3(21st) PACE:100.5(14th) NET:+1.8(16th)
Recap: DeMar DeRozan might be questionable for this team especially since the Sacramento Kings are a team that plays fast and moves the ball. Still, the Kings acquired a guy who has been putting 20-25 points a game and has been one of the league’s most consistent scorers in the past decade. Nevertheless, Sacramento is a better team on paper and could form an exciting big 3 with DeRozan, D’Aaron Fox, and Domantis Sabonis. Their other big offseason move was resigning Malik Monk who has been a spark off the bench with scoring. Sacramento should be able to avoid the play-in, but they still need to improve their defense, which ranked 27th and 21st in defensive efficiency the past couple of seasons.
8. New Orleans Pelicans 49-33
OFF: 115.0(8th*) DEF: 109.9(7th) PACE:99.5(17th) NET:+4.4 (6th)
Recap: The DeJounte Murray acquisition was a great move for the Pelicans. It allows CJ McCollum to move off-guard, which is his natural position, and New Orleans should be even better defensively. New Orleans ranked #6 in defensive efficiency and #2 in opponent 3-point %. Still, the Pelicans have a giant void at the center spot after losing Jonas Valachunias in free agency. Daniel Thesis is a nice pickup, but can he prove to be a starting center? Also, can Zion Willamson continue to stay healthy? The Pelicans have a high ceiling to be a dark horse contender but can fall out of the play-in if health doesn’t work in their favor.
9. Houston Rockets 41-41
OFF:111.5(21st) DEF:110.8(9th) PACE:100.9(13th) NET:+1.1 (18th)
Recap: The odds of another 19-win improvement are unlikely, but there is a lot to like with this Houston core. The Rockets finished on a strong note last year due to the improvement from their young stars and their defense, which ranked 9th in defensive efficiency. Alphren Segrun and Jalen Green looked like rising stars last year, and Ime Udoka should have received serious consideration for the Coach of the Year honors. Reed Shepard was a great pick who will provide shooting to a team that ranked 23rd in 3-point percentage and 21st in offensive efficiency. Perhaps not making any moves and expecting another year of growth from their young stars might have been the best move.
10. Golden State Warriors 46-36
OFF: 114.9(10th) DEF:112.4(14th*) PACE:101.1(12th) NET: +2.6 (12th)
Recap: It is going to be weird seeing Klay Thompson in another uniform. But I think Golden State may have gotten a little bit better. They brought in two guys who can shoot the 3 in Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton and neither don’t demand as many touches. Still, in a tough Western Conference, the Warriors feel like a play-in team that will rely heavily on a soon-to-be 37-year-old Steph Curry. The young talent is there in Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski who both showed promise. But are those players ready to be significant contributors to a championship team?
11. Los Angeles Clippers 51-31
OFF:116.1(4th) DEF:112.4(14th*) PACE:99.0(21st) NET: + 3.3 (7th)
Recap: The Clippers had the more disappointing offseason out of the 2 LA teams, but I have them slightly higher than the Lakers for two reasons. The Clippers have a proven coach who can maximize the roster, and the role players are better. Still, it’s inexcusable to lose Paul George for practically nothing. The Clippers will have to rely on a healthy season from 33-year-old Kawhi Leonard and a somewhat rejuvenated 35-year-old James Harden if they have a chance at playoff contention, let alone title contention. This roster is one of the oldest in the NBA and it is a sinking ship. At least they will have the nicest new arena in the NBA.
12. Los Angeles Lakers 47-35
OFF:113.6(15th) DEF:112.8(17th*) PACE:102.5(4th) NET: +0.6 (19th)
Recap: Their offseason was a major disappointment. No need to sugarcoat it. Their top acquisitions were new head coach JJ Reddick and LeBron’s son Bronny James. This roster, as currently built is once again a play-in team that could avoid the play-in with a healthy LeBron and Anthony Davis. But this roster is one serious injury from one of their stars away from a disastrous season. The Lakers had had their healthiest season from their two stars since their championship team but barely squeaked by as a play-in team. JJ Reddick will have some big expectations as a rookie coach to prove that the coaching was an issue last year. I am going to proceed as an optimistic pessimist of this team.
13. San Antonio Spurs 22-60
OFF:107.5(26th) DEF:114.0(22nd) PACE:102.8(3rd) NET: -6.5(25th)
Recap: This spot in the rankings had nothing to do with the Spurs offseason. The West is just deeper, but the Spurs should be much better. Nevertheless, the Spurs are and should be better. Signing Chris Paul should help bring veteran experience and a competent point guard to a team that severely needs point guard play. However, Chris Paul is nearly 40 years old and is more of a role player than a star point guard. Harrison Barnes brings championship experience but isn’t a significant impact player. However, the biggest X-factor will be Victor Wembayama. If the reigning rookie of the year can be in the MVP conversation, don’t be surprised San Antonio has enough to secure a spot in the play-in tournament and perhaps make the playoffs.
14. Utah Jazz 31-51
OFF:112.0(19th) DEF:117.7(30th) PACE:101.6(7th*) NET: -4.8 (21st)
Recap: Lauri Markanen is officially resigning with Utah, and it looks like the Jazz will try to compete. However, even with him on this roster, the Jazz are a fringe play-in team at best. Utah has some solid young pieces and has one of the youngest rosters, but they might need that elite draft prospect to help accelerate their rebuild and some defense since they ranked dead last in defensive efficiency. They might need to Drag for the Flagg or Capture the Flagg!
15. Portland Trail Blazers 21-61
OFF:105.0(29th) DEF:114.4(23rd) PACE: 99.4(19th) NET:-9.0(27th)
Recap: This team is similar to last season, which won a conference low of 21 games, and with the trade of Malcolm Bragdon for Deni Avdjia, the Blazers got even younger. The keys to the franchise now officially belong to Scoot Henderson, who showed promise in his rookie season despite a low field goal percentage. Donovon Clingan was a solid pick, and Portland will rely heavily on a young core that will grow throughout the season. But Portland will likely be in the cellar for this season. Does this mean Jerami Grant and DeAndre Ayton will be traded?
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
